Journey to Planar World

6:30 AM.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, attempting to drive away the remnants of darkness within the apartment unit. Charlie awoke from his sleep not because of an alarm, but due to the rhythmic clinking of cooking utensils echoing once again from the kitchen.

As he attempted to stretch his muscles, he realized something was different.

A thick, warm blanket covered his body, even though he clearly remembered falling asleep the night before with only the clothes on his back.

(That girl...)

It was obvious; the only person here who would bother to cover him while he was slumbered was Mahiru. It was a small act of kindness that stood in stark contrast to the cold demeanor she often displayed.

Sitting on the edge of the sofa in a slightly languid state with his white hair disheveled, Charlie rubbed his eyes.

His gaze immediately landed on the figure of Mahiru, who was already busy in front of the stove.

This morning, she was already dressed in her full Sobu High School uniform—a neat blazer, a pleated skirt, and high socks that wrapped around her legs perfectly.

(I have to admit, compared to high school uniforms in Indonesia which feel quite boring, Japanese uniform designs are truly pleasing to the eye. The aesthetics are on a different level,) Charlie thought, watching her unconsciously.

Women are usually very sensitive to the gazes directed at them. Mahiru looked up, her eyes meeting Charlie’s. However, she did not find the lust she usually received from the boys at school or on the streets. She saw only a spark of genuine and honest appreciation.

”What is it?” Mahiru asked briefly, her hand remaining steady as she flipped an egg in the pan.

”Nothing. I was just thinking that Shiina-san looks very beautiful in that uniform.” Charlie replied bluntly.

”Oh.”

Her response was utterly flat. The compliment did not shift Mahiru’s heart in the slightest.

For the girl nicknamed the ”Angel,” praise regarding her physical appearance was a daily occurrence. Charlie wasn’t the first person to say it, and she knew full well he wouldn’t be the last.

Seeing Mahiru ignore him again—an attitude vastly different from the friendly image she usually projected when interacting with others at school—Charlie could only manage a wry smile.

(I guess I’m really disliked, huh...) He thought with a sigh.

(Well, whatever. This isn’t a dating sim where I need to increase an affection bar. My focus is her safety.)

His thoughts drifted for a moment.

(Nakano Nino and Yuuki Asuna alone are more than enough. I shouldn’t give out any more false hope.)

Charlie wasn’t the type of protagonist who was obtuse or insensitive. How could he not realize the feelings implied by the girls he had met?

To him, responding to the feelings of someone who could be by his side made sense. Ais Wallenstein was a clear example; they were in the same world, so pursuing a romantic relationship was possible.

But what about Nino or Asuna?

They came from different worlds, with families, dreams, and lives deeply rooted there. Charlie wasn’t selfish enough to take them from their original worlds just for his personal satisfaction, and he had no method of bringing them with him.

The case of Shirogane Kei was merely an exception due to circumstances.

”Haaah...”

Charlie shook his head, trying to banish the weight of the ”love debts” that continued to pile up.

Rising from the sofa, he neatly folded the blanket Mahiru had given him and placed it on the table.

Without another word, he stepped toward the bathroom to wash his face, letting the cold water sharpen his mind for today’s protection duty.

”Use the new toothbrush I prepared in that cup.” Mahiru’s voice called out from behind the bathroom door.

Charlie, who had just turned on the faucet, looked toward the sink.

Sure enough, inside a ceramic cup were two pairs of toothbrushes. One looked frequently used—clearly Mahiru’s—and the other was still neatly wrapped in its packaging.

”Thank you for your concern, Shiina-san. I really appreciate it.” Charlie raising his voice slightly to be heard outside.

”You’re welcome. Oh, and one more thing.” Mahiru continued from outside. ”After school, accompany me shopping. Besides stocking up on groceries, we need to buy daily necessities for you. I don’t want you constantly borrowing my things.”

Without waiting for an answer or agreement, the sound of Mahiru’s footsteps could be heard receding back toward the kitchen.

”Wow, she didn’t even ask for my opinion at all.” Charlie murmured with a thin smile. ”But oh well, she has a point. I can’t keep living like a vagrant in this apartment.”

He picked up the new toothbrush. The corner of his eye twitched slightly when he realized the design of the toothbrush looked somewhat feminine, but he had no other choice. He opened the packaging, applied toothpaste, and began to clean himself up.

A few minutes later, Charlie emerged from the bathroom looking much fresher. He walked toward the kitchen, approaching Mahiru who was still preoccupied with her pots.

”Is there anything I can help with, Shiina-san?” he asked, offering his assistance.

”Can you cook?” Mahiru asked back without turning around.

”Reasonably well.”

Hearing that answer, Mahiru lifted her head from the pot. She was stunned for a moment before managing to regain her composure.

Although she wasn’t the type of girl to judge a man solely by his face, she had to admit that the man in front of her possessed an extraordinary visual appeal, more so than anyone she had ever met at school.

Furthermore, Charlie had currently combed his white hair back. The bangs that usually covered his forehead were now styled in a neat 7:3 part, giving off a very strong impression of maturity and authority.

For a second, Mahiru was captivated, frozen with a spatula in her hand.

Charlie, noticing the silence, spoke up immediately, ”In this day and age, a man who can cook isn’t exactly strange, right? In fact, many of the world’s top chefs are men. Well, even if my skills can’t be compared to a five-star chef, at least for home cooking, I’m fairly reliable.”

Mahiru averted her gaze back to the food to hide the faint blush that almost appeared. ”I see. That’s good. In that case, help me prepare this. You can be my assistant today.”

The kitchen that was usually ruled by only one person now became a stage for the both of them.

Initially, Mahiru suspected that Charlie was just boasting to show off. However, that suspicion vanished when she saw how Charlie held a knife. His movements were steady, his cutting technique was precise, and he worked with a very efficient rhythm.

They worked in a surprising synchronization.

While preparing breakfast to eat now, Mahiru also began to arrange the lunch box (bento) she would take to school.

The fragrant aroma of soup and stir-fry filled the room, creating a warm morning atmosphere, as if they were a couple who had been used to sharing a routine for years.

The two ate at the same table in silence. Throughout breakfast, no conversation was sparked between them.

This was normal. After all, they had known each other for less than twenty-four hours.

In front of Charlie, Mahiru seemed to have no desire to wear her perfect ”Angel” mask; she showed her true self—independent and not easily trusting.

Charlie himself was certain that the string of horrific events yesterday had left a trauma on the girl, so he didn’t try to act overly familiar or force unnecessary conversation.

Just like the night before, once the plates were cleared of food, the two again worked side-by-side washing dishes at the sink.

After finishing, Mahiru immediately grabbed her school bag and stepped toward the entrance area (genkan).

Her movement as she bent down to put on her school shoes was a sight in itself; her supple fingers tidied her shoes over feet clad in elegant, sheer black stockings.

Mahiru was unaware that most men possess a particular interest in the aesthetics of a woman’s legs in stockings, and was just about to open the apartment door when her footsteps came to a sudden halt.

”Have a safe trip, Shiina-san.”

Charlie’s voice sounded calm from behind her.

”If you encounter danger like yesterday, just say my name. I have established a causality between us. As soon as you call my name, I will teleport to your side in the blink of an eye.”

Compared to the second sentence, Mahiru was far more fixated on the first.

This was the first time in a very long while that someone had seen her off from inside her home. Even her parents had never once done something as simple as that for her.

”Mm. I’m leaving.” Mahiru replied softly.

Without her realizing it, her cheeks were tinged with a faint, almost invisible red. She immediately pulled the doorknob and closed it quickly, as if wanting to hide the small flutter in her heart.

At the same time, the door to the neighboring apartment unit opened.

Amane stepped out with his characteristically disheveled appearance. He gave Mahiru a perfunctory greeting upon seeing his neighbor in the corridor.

”Good morning, Shiina-san.”

”Good morning, Fujimiya-kun.” Mahiru replied with a polite and formal tone, shifting back into her public mode. She walked toward the elevator without looking back and immediately stepped inside.

”...”

Amane remained silent, waiting a few moments until the elevator returned to his floor before he entered it himself.

Even though the two were neighbors living side-by-side, it never occurred to them to go to school together.

Amane kept his distance strictly; he didn’t want other students at school to know he lived next door to the ”Angel.” To him, a quiet and inconspicuous life was the top priority he didn’t want to risk.

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